The iPad dominated the headlines over the weekend, and the debate continues on whether it's a good fit for the enterprise. Some industry observers, including Mike Elgan predict the iPad will become an enterprise tool, whether or not enterprises are on board. Business travelers will likely be the first employees--authorized or not--to use it.  

"Enterprise frequent fliers will be showing up for work Monday with iPads in hand, and that's when the trouble starts," Elgan writes in a post at Internet.com. Elgan says the tablet computer is perfect for business travelers because it is so lightweight and works great for creating and delivering presentations.

Elgan also maintains that using email on the iPad will be very appealing to corporate users. The multi-touch functionality of the device makes email easier to use. To save email contents--photos or text, etc.--you "tap and hold," which also allows you to copy contents, add contacts and other functions.

In a post on PCWorld, Tony Bradley offers a sampling of iPad apps that could benefit the business professional. According to Bradley, the tablet computer can do more or less what a notebook can do. Cisco's free Webex app will allow users to participate in meetings--including the audio portion--view documents and applications. With the Memeo Connect Reader app, users can store Google Docs on the iPad and access them even offline. The iWork apps provide productivity tools akin to Microsoft Office, including word processing, spreadsheets and slide presentations. Bradley notes that the number of business-related apps for the iPad are sure to multiply exponentially.

Much hesitation remains in the blogosphere, however. Gina Trapani at FastCompany is among those who are warning people not to buy into the iPad just yet. Trapani argues that it would be better to wait for Apple to work out the bugs, beef up the functionality and lower the price. "Only lemmings with no self-control and excessive disposable income buy first generation Apple products, especially in a new gadget category," Trapani writes.

For an extensive overview of the blogosphere's reaction to the iPad debut, take a look at Christian Zibreg's post at Geek.com.

For more:
- read Mike Elgan's post at Internet.com
- read Tony Bradley's post at PCWorld
- read Gina Trapani's post at FastCompany
- read Christian Zibreg's post at Geek.com

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